Posts Tagged teen cigarette smoking

If earlier studies recorded 35% of cigarette smokers also experimenting with marijuana, today’s latest findings has put 50% of young smokers aged 18 to 25 as weed users too.

A research conducted at the University of California yielded the result which is considered a big leap from the previous data gathered. Experts say that studies as such are very important in determining what programs are necessary to control present conditions. “The importance of getting accurate data like these cannot be stressed enough, as treatment programs and the financial support required for them are often guided by studies that demonstrate both prevalence and risk.”

Study author Danielle Ramo from UCSF Department of Psychiatry said they took advantage of technology and social media to gather data for their research. Ramo said they were surprised with the results. “…. rates were much higher, which shows the problem might be larger than we realize.”

The study was done with 3,500 participants all considered regular smokers. They remained anonymous and were asked to confirm any marijuana use in the last 30 days. After recording their answers, it was found out that from the 68% who smoked cigarettes on a daily basis, 53% of them also smoked pot within the last month.

Study senior author Judith Prochaska made it clear that being in a medical marijuana state was not a factor in the prevalence of marijuana use or the use of both tobacco and marijuana by their sampling population. There was no significant difference in results too when age, income, or gender factors were taken into consideration.

For Bruce Goldman, director of Substance Abuse Services at Zucker Hillside Hospitals in Glen Oaks, the findings of the study was what he actually expected. He also emphasized the need for new methods in developing treatment programs for substance abuse.

The same sentiment was heard from study author Prochaska. “Adapting the social media aspect into intervention and incorporating the social environment are new ways to approach finding the most effective means for treatment.”